Easter Sunday is a time for reflection and consideration through the lens of caring and compassion. Where do our morals intersect in approaching hunger?

This society we share has a plethora of concerns. Some concerns bring emotional tension, frustration, and puzzlement. How do people grapple with this issue of hunger? The statistics from Feeding America beg a question: Is there an opportunity to examine this as an ethical concern? Feeding America indicates it provides food to over 46 million people in America, but a glimpse into a systemic problem in this country.

Hunger has a deceptive landscape in reality. Hunger does not advocate discrimination. Ironically, hunger models inclusion. Hunger continues to penetrate humanity through all races, cultures, women, men, and all ages from children to seniors on a daily basis.

How do we communicate that hunger is a crucial problem that causes suffering every day? How can so many people live in a condition of hunger? Is this an ethical problem that examines the response of a human condition? Our response must address the human materiality of existence. It’s challenging to rationalize why so many people in 2015 live in a place of starvation.

Also, there is an anomaly for those whose hearts are filled with care, compassion and the desire to help humanity. Some are filled with discouragement because it seems their efforts don’t matter. However, each act of caring does make a difference to someone.

We should all have an instinct to do the right thing through our hearts as children of God. There are people in this community committed to making an impact as often as they can with little means. Maybe, it’s the restaurant owner who gives someone a sandwich. Possibly the individual that asks a person are you hungry or when is the last time you had a meal? Recently, some independent restaurants in this country have taken a strong stand with compassion. They post signs indicating pay whatever you can for your order. The reality in this country and locally indicates many people don’t have the means to purchase food.

This community has a continued opportunity to address the hunger issue. The local Food Bank of South Central Michigan supplies a multitude of food pantries. Additionally, the Food Bank has relationships with organizations that provide cooked meals. These organizations are vital to addressing hunger because a vast number of people are without homes and appliances to cook food.

Additionally, thanks and praises to the urban gardens in this community that are committed to growing produce to combat hunger.

However, there is a need to provide the Food Bank with financial support. What can you give? That’s your personal decision. This is an appeal to move our hearts into the room of compassion to feed people. This issue of hunger impacts so many lives in this community. Our giving will provide needed support. Additionally, we can feed the souls of humanity with hope. A hope that reassures that care, compassion and morals exist for humanity.

Please use the envelope enclosed in Sunday’s Battle Creek Enquirer to make a contribution.

Thank you in advance!

The Rev. Marshall Murphy is pastor at First United Methodist Church and Washington Heights United Methodist Church in Battle Creek. Data for this column is provided by Feeding American and is available at bcene.ws/HungerInAmerica